Let your vote speak

Election Day is the only day in four years when the people are the masters and officials are servants, when the masters have the power to hire or fire the servants. So exercise your power carefully and wisely.

Remember: You are responsible for your own decision made at the polls. You can only blame yourself if your life becomes miserable in the next four years, if you make the wrong decision today.

You should bear in mind a famous quote by Yu Shyi-kun, ex-chairman of the DPP: “Democracy is you reap what you sow”, an interpretation that vividly depicts the picture of Taiwan’s democracy as a whole.

Eight years ago, voters longing for change elected Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party as their president, narrowly defeating James Soong, who ran as an independent by bolting the long-governing Kuomintang. The historic, first peaceful change of power gave people hope for a better government and better way of life. But that hope was ephemeral. The DPP became corrupt and inept, ruling the country through slogans and ideology. But voters still gave the DPP a second chance in 2004 — narrowly.

Now, the DPP is seeking a third mandate. Frank Hsieh is running against the KMT’s Ma Ying-jeou for the highest office. Hsieh, a former mayor of Kaohsiung and premier, played the fear card by inciting people’s fear of China. Ma, former mayor of Taipei and ex-chairman of the KMT, campaigned on the economy and closer economic ties with mainland China. It is a contest between ideology and economy. Hsieh has come from behind to run head-and-head with Ma, thanks to a series of unexpected events occurring in the final days of the campaign, including China’s bloody crackdown in Tibet that was a boon for Hsieh’s fearmongering. Ma’s early lead has evaporated fast. But it is up to the voters, especially the silent majority, to come forward to speak their minds with their ballot. They must wisely choose the candidate whom they think will be best for Taiwan and their best interests. They must be so certain they will not regret their choice. How to make the right decision? Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan suggested that voters ask themselves the question: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” If the answer is yes, vote for the ruling party candidate. Otherwise, vote for other candidates. Today, Taiwan voters must ask themselves the same question, and answer that same question honestly. With this question, Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, whose presidency was marked by failure at home and abroad.

In Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian’s presidency has been marked by corruption, economic stagnation, cultural cleansing, political confrontation and international isolation. Taiwan has been sinking since 1980. Taiwan is no longer an economic miracle, a paradigm, a source of pride. Relations with the United States, for example, have never sunk to such a low point after President Chen persistently pursued the issue of Taiwan independence in violation of his pledges to Washington. His presidency almost toppled in 2006 when Shih Ming-teh, a former DPP chairman, launched an anti-corruption campaign against him, with a million red-shirted protesters. Although Shih failed to depose his former comrade, the DPP administration was outed as a corrupt regime.

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